Chapter XI: Appendix: The Play of Robin Hood (2)

To the tune of In Summer Time.

London, Printed for F. Grove, dwelling on Snowhill. (1620–55.)

1^3. Nottingam.

8^2. here.

10^1. warrand.

#b.#

_Title as in #a#: except that_ he _is wanting in the fourth line,
and_ so _in the last line but one_.

Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–86?)

3^1. qd.

4^4. Banburay.

6^3. it _wanting_.

11^1. king would: an.

14^3. you would.

16^2. they took up their.

22^1. speak _for_ tell.

24^1. was _for_ will.

24^4. me _wanting_.

25^3. Ten shillings just I have to pay.

26^3. if I: on that.

28^3. then found.

31^3. Tinker he laid on so fast.

32^2. right _for_ full.

33^1. laid about.

33^4. That he.

35^4. Will.

39^2. pounds: I _for_ Ile.

40^1. mettled.

40^4. afraid.

41^1. with us.

#c.#

Robin Hood and the Jolly Tinker: Shewing how they fiercely
encountered, and after the victorious conquest lovingly agreed.
Tune of In Summer Time.

London, Printed by J. Hodges, at the Looking Glass, on London
Bridge. _Not in black letter._

3^1. doth.

4^1. the news.

4^4. Bullbury.

5^3. they are.

6^3. it _wanting_.

8^4. needs.

11^1. would give an.

11^4. thee _for_ you.

15^1. A crab-tree staff the Tinker had.

16^2. they took up at their inn.

18^2. Robin made haste away.

19^1. did awake.

19^3. even _wanting_.

20^3. to seek.

21^1. the _for_ my.

21^4. He _wanting_.

22^1. speak _for_ tell.

23^1. I but.

23^3. might _for_ strength.

24^1. I will.

24^4. should betide.

25^1. But _wanting_.

25^3. just I have to pay.

26^1. bags.

26^3. that _wanting_.

27^3. amongst.

29^1. in the.

31^2. Made of a.

31^3. he laid: him _wanting_.

32^3. that he.

32^4. Then almost.

33^1. they laid about.

33^3. full _for_ so.

33^4. That he.

34^2. grant to.

35^4. also _for_ too.

36^3. There.

37^2. would I.

37^3. And would.

38^2. They would.

39^3. In a.

40^1. mettle.

40^4. afraid.

128

ROBIN HOOD NEWLY REVIVED

‘Robin Hood Newly Reviv’d.’ #a.# Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. #b.# Roxburghe,
III, 18, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 426. #c.# Garland of
1663, No 3. #d.# Garland of 1670, No 2. #e.# Pepys, II, 101, No 88.

Also Douce, III, 120 b, London, by L. How, and Roxburghe, III, 408: both of these are of the eighteenth century.

#a# is printed, with not a few changes, in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 66. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 143, agrees nearly with the Aldermary garland.

Robin Hood, walking the forest, meets a gaily-dressed young fellow, who presently brings down a deer at forty yards with his bow. Robin commends the shot, and offers the youngster a place as one of his yeomen. The offer is rudely received; each bends his bow at the other. Robin suggests that one of them may be slain, if they shoot: swords and bucklers would be better. Robin strikes the first blow, and is so stoutly answered that he is fain to know who the young man is. His name is Gamwell, and, having killed his father’s steward, he has fled to the forest to join his uncle, Robin Hood. The kinsmen embrace, and walk on till they meet Little John. Robin Hood tells John that the stranger has beaten him. Little John would like a bout, to see if the stranger can beat him. This Robin forbids, for this stranger is his own sister’s son; he shall be next in rank to Little John among his yeomen, and be called Scarlet.

The story seems to have been built up on a portion of the ruins, so to speak, of the fine tale of Gamelyn. There the king of the outlaws, sitting at meat with his seven score young men, sees Gamelyn wandering in the wood with Adam, and tells some of his young men to fetch them in. Seven start up to execute the order, and when they come to Gamelyn and his comrade bid the twain hand over their bows and arrows. Gamelyn replies, Not though ye fetch five men, and so be twelve; but no violence being attempted, the pair go to the king, who asks them what they seek in the woods. Gamelyn answers, No harm; but to shoot a deer, if we meet one, like hungry men. The king gives them to eat and drink of the best, and, upon learning that the spokesman is Gamelyn, makes him master, under himself, over all the outlaws. Little John having long had the place of first man under Robin, the best that the ballad-maker could do for Gamwell was to make him chief yeoman after John.[109] (The Tale of Gamelyn, ed. Skeat, vv 625–686. The resemblance of the ballad is remarked upon at p. x.)

Ritson gives this ballad the title of Robin Hood and the Stranger, remarking: The title now given to this ballad is that which it seems to have originally borne; having been foolishly altered to Robin Hood newly Revived. R. H. and the Bishop, R. H. and the Beggar, R. H. and the Tanner, are directed to be sung to the tune of Robin Hood and the Stranger, but no ballad bears such a title in any garland or broadside.[110] The ballad referred to as Robin Hood and the Stranger may possibly have been this, but, for reasons given at p. 133, Robin Hood and Little John is, as I think, more likely to be the one meant.

Robin Hood and the Stranger was one name for the most popular of Robin Hood tunes, and this particular tune was sometimes called ‘Robin Hood’ absolutely (see the note at the end of the next ballad). If the ballad denoted by Robin Hood and the Stranger was also sometimes known as ‘Robin Hood’ simply, and especially if this ballad was Robin Hood and Little John, an explanation presents itself of the title ‘Robin Hood newly Revived.’ What is revived is the favorite topic of the process by which Robin Hood enlarged and strengthened his company. The earlier ballad had shown how Little John came to join the band; the second undertakes to tell us how Scarlet was enlisted, the next most important man after John.

The second part, referred to in the last stanza, was separated, Mr Chappell thought, when the present ballad was “newly revived,” because the whole was found too long for a penny (one would say that both parts together were “dear enough a leek”), and seven stanzas (incoherent in themselves and not cohering with what lies before us) added to fill up the sheet. These stanzas will be given under No 130, as Robin Hood and the Scotchman; and the “second part,” ‘R. H. and the Prince of Aragon,’ or ‘R. H., Will. Scadlock and Little John,’ follows immediately.

1
Come listen a while, you gentlemen all,
With a hey down down a down down
That are in this bower within,
For a story of gallant bold Robin Hood
I purpose now to begin.

2
‘What time of the day?’ quoth Robin Hood then;
Quoth Little John, ’Tis in the prime;
‘Why then we will to the green wood gang,
For we have no vittles to dine.’

3
As Robin Hood walkt the forrest along—
It was in the mid of the day—
There was he met of a deft young man
As ever walkt on the way.

4
His doublet it was of silk, he said,
His stockings like scarlet shone,
And he walkt on along the way,
To Robin Hood then unknown.

5
A herd of deer was in the bend,
All feeding before his face:
‘Now the best of ye I’le have to my dinner,
And that in a little space.’

6
Now the stranger he made no mickle adoe,
But he bends and a right good bow,
And the best buck in the herd he slew,
Forty good yards him full froe.

7
‘Well shot, well shot,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘That shot it was shot in time;
And if thou wilt accept of the place,
Thou shalt be a bold yeoman of mine.’

8
‘Go play the chiven,’ the stranger said,
‘Make haste and quickly go;
Or with my fist, be sure of this,
I’le give thee buffets store.’

9
‘Thou hadst not best buffet me,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘For though I seem forlorn,
Yet I can have those that will take my part,
If I but blow my horn.’

10
‘Thou wast not best wind thy horn,’ the stranger said,
‘Beest thou never so much in hast,
For I can draw out a good broad sword,
And quickly cut the blast.’

11
Then Robin Hood bent a very good bow,
To shoot, and that he would fain;
The stranger he bent a very good bow,
To shoot at bold Robin again.

12
‘O hold thy hand, hold thy hand,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘To shoot it would be in vain;
For if we should shoot the one at the other,
The one of us may be slain.

13
‘But let’s take our swords and our broad bucklers,
And gang under yonder tree:’
‘As I hope to be sav’d,’ the stranger said,
‘One foot I will not flee.’

14
Then Robin Hood lent the stranger a blow
Most scar’d him out of his wit;
‘Thou never felt blow,’ the stranger he said,
‘That shall be better quit.’

15
The stranger he drew out a good broad sword,
And hit Robin on the crown,
That from every haire of bold Robins head
The blood ran trickling down.

16
‘God a mercy, good fellow!’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘And for this that thou hast done;
Tell me, good fellow, what thou art,
Tell me where thou doest woon.’

17
The stranger then answered bold Robin Hood,
I’le tell thee where I did dwell;
In Maxfield was I bred and born,
My name is Young Gamwell.

18
For killing of my own fathers steward,
I am forc’d to this English wood,
And for to seek an vncle of mine;
Some call him Robin Hood.

19
‘But thou art a cousin of Robin Hoods then?
The sooner we should have done:’
‘As I hope to be sav’d,’ the stranger then said,
‘I am his own sisters son.’

20
But, Lord! what kissing and courting was there,
When these two cousins did greet!
And they went all that summers day,
And Little John did meet.

21
But when they met with Little John,
He there unto [him] did say,
O master, where have you been,
You have tarried so long away?

22
‘I met with a stranger,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘Full sore he hath beaten me:’
‘Then I’le have a bout with him,’ quoth Little John,
‘And try if he can beat me.’

23
‘Oh [no], oh no,’ quoth Robin Hood then,
‘Little John, it may [not] be so;
For he’s my own dear sisters son,
And cousins I have no mo.

24
‘But he shall be a bold yeoman of mine,
My chief man next to thee;
And I Robin Hood, and thou Little John,
And Scarlet he shall be:

25
‘And wee’l be three of the bravest outlaws
That is in the North Country.’
If you will have any more of bold Robin Hood,
In his second part it will be.

* * * * *

#a#, #b#, #e#.

Robin Hood newly reviv’d. To a delightful new tune.

#c#, #d#.

Robin Hood newly revived: Or his meeting and fighting with his
cousin Scarlet. To a delightful new tune.

#a.#

Printed for Richard Burton. (1641–74.)

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3, qd.

6^3. in th.

11^2. To that shoot and.

21^2. him _supplied from_ #c#, #d#.

#b.#

London, Printed for Richard Burton, at the Sign of the Horshooe in
West Smithfield.

3^2. midst.

4^1. it _wanting_.

6^4. full _wanting_.

11^2. To shot and that.

12^4. must be.

21^2. him _wanting_.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

#c.#

3^3. ware _for_ met.

7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3, 23^1, qd.

9^3. can I.

10^1. blow _for_ wind.

11^2. To shoot and that.

13^3. he said.

16^1, 18^4. bold Robin.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. unto him.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^4. In this.

#d.#

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, qd.

3^3. ware _for_ met.

6^4. good _wanting_.

7^2. was in.

9^2. am _for_ seem.

11^1. he bent.

11^2. To shoot and that.

12^4. must be.

13^3. he said.

16^2. that _wanting_.

18^1. own _wanting_.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. unto him.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^3. If thou wilt.

25^4. In this.

#e.#

Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger. (1670–82?)

1^2. in _wanting_.

2^1, 7^1, 9^1, 12^1, 16^1, 22^1, 22^3. quod.

3^2. midst.

3^3. with _for_ of.

4^1. it _wanting_.

6^2. and _wanting_.

6^4. full _wanting_.

7^3. except.

9^3. can _wanting_.

11^2. To that shot and he.

11^3. bent up a noble.

12^1. O _wanting_.

12^4. must be.

19^1. art thou.

21^2. him _wanting_.

22^1, 23^1. then _wanting_.

23^1. Oh no.

23^2. may not.

25^3. If you’l have more.

25^4. In this.

_Followed in all the copies by seven stanzas which belong to a different ballad._ _See_ No 130.

129

ROBIN HOOD AND THE PRINCE OF ARAGON

‘Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock and Little John.’[111]

#a.# Roxburghe, I, 358, in the Ballad Society’s reprint, II, 431. #b.#
Pepys, II, 120, No 106.

Also Roxburghe, III, 582, without a printer’s name.

Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 71, from #a#, with changes; Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 186.

This is only a pseudo-chivalrous romance, tagged to Robin Hood Newly Revived as a Second Part, with eight introductory stanzas. Both parts are as vapid as possible, and no piquancy is communicated by the matter of the two being as alien as oil and water. The Prince of Aragon, a Turk and an infidel, has beleaguered London, and will have the princess to his spouse, unless three champions can vanquish him and his two giants. Robin Hood, Scadlock, and John undertake the case, and disguise themselves as pilgrims, so as not to be stopped on their way. Robin kills the prince, and John and Scadlock each a giant. The king demands to know who his deliverers are, and Robin Hood avails himself of the opportunity to get the king’s pardon for himself and his men. The princess was to be the victor’s prize, but cannot marry all three, as might perhaps have been foreseen. She is allowed to pick, and chooses Will Scadlock. The Earl of Maxfield is present, and weeps bitterly at the sight of Scadlock, because, he says, he had a son like Will, of the name of Young Gamwell. Scadlock, whom we know from the First Part to be Gamwell, falls at his father’s feet, and the wedding follows.

1
Now Robin Hood, Will Scadlock and Little John
Are walking over the plain,
With a good fat buck which Will Scadlock
With his strong bow had slain.

2
‘Jog on, jog on,’ cries Robin Hood,
‘The day it runs full fast;
For though my nephew me a breakfast gave,
I have not yet broke my fast.

3
‘Then to yonder lodge let us take our way,
I think it wondrous good,
Where my nephew by my bold yeomen
Shall be welcomd unto the green wood.’

4
With that he took the bugle-horn,
Full well he could it blow;
Streight from the woods came marching down
One hundred tall fellows and mo.

5
‘Stand, stand to your arms!’ crys Will Scadlock,
‘Lo! the enemies are within ken:’
With that Robin Hood he laughd aloud,
Crys, They are my bold yeomen.

6
Who, when they arriv’d and Robin espy’d,
Cry’d, Master, what is your will?
We thought you had in danger been,
Your horn did sound so shrill.

7
‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘The danger is past and gone;
I would have you to welcome my nephew here,
That hath paid me two for one.’

8
In feasting and sporting they passed the day,
Till Phœbus sunk into the deep;
Then each one to his quarters hy’d,
His guard there for to keep.

9
Long had they not walked within the green wood,
But Robin he was espy’d
Of a beautiful damsel all alone,
That on a black palfrey did ride.

10
Her riding-suit was of sable hew black,
Sypress over her face,
Through which her rose-like cheeks did blush,
All with a comely grace.

11
‘Come, tell me the cause, thou pritty one,’
Quoth Robin, ‘and tell me aright,
From whence thou comest, and whither thou goest,
All in this mournful plight?’

12
‘From London I came,’ the damsel reply’d,
‘From London upon the Thames,
Which circled is, O grief to tell!
Besieg’d with forraign arms.

13
‘By the proud Prince of Aragon,
Who swears by his martial hand
To have the princess for his spouse,
Or else to waste this land:

14
‘Except that champions can be found
That dare fight three to three,
Against the prince and giants twain,
Most horrid for to see:

15
‘Whose grisly looks, and eyes like brands,
Strike terrour where they come,
With serpents hissing on their helms,
Instead of feathered plume.

16
‘The princess shall be the victors prize,
The king hath vowd and said.
And he that shall the conquest win
Shall have her to his bride.

17
‘Now we are four damsels sent abroad,
To the east, west, north, and south,
To try whose fortune is so good
To find these champions forth.

18
‘But all in vaine we have sought about;
Yet none so bold there are
That dare adventure life and blood,
To free a lady fair.’

19
‘When is the day?’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘Tell me this and no more:’
‘On Midsummer next,’ the damsel said,
‘Which is June the twenty-four.’

20
With that the teares trickled down her cheeks,
And silent was her tongue;
With sighs and sobs she took her leave,
Away her palfrey sprung.

21
This news struck Robin to the heart,
He fell down on the grass;
His actions and his troubled mind
Shewd he perplexed was.

22
‘Where lies your grief?’ quoth Will Scadlock,
‘O master, tell to me;
If the damsels eyes have piercd your heart,
I’ll fetch her back to thee.’

23
‘Now nay, now nay,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘She doth not cause my smart;
But it is the poor distressed princess
That wounds me to the heart.

24
‘I will go fight the giants all
To set the lady free:’
‘The devil take my soul,’ quoth Little John,
‘If I part with thy company.’

25
‘Must I stay behind?’ quoth Will Scadlock;
‘No, no, that must not be;
I’le make the third man in the fight,
So we shall be three to three.’

26
These words cheerd Robin at the heart,
Joy shone within his face;
Within his arms he huggd them both,
And kindly did imbrace.

27
Quoth he, We’ll put on mothly gray,
With long staves in our hands,
A scrip and bottle by our sides,
As come from the Holy Land.

28
So may we pass along the high-way;
None will ask from whence we came,
But take us pilgrims for to be,
Or else some holy men.

29
Now they are on their journey gone,
As fast as they may speed,
Yet for all haste, ere they arriv’d,
The princess forth was led:

30
To be deliverd to the prince,
Who in the list did stand,
Prepar’d to fight, or else receive
His lady by the hand.

31
With that he walkt about the lists,
With giants by his side:
‘Bring forth,’ said he, ‘your champions,
Or bring me forth my bride.

32
‘This is the four and twentieth day,
The day prefixt upon;
Bring forth my bride, or London burns,
I swear by Acaron.’

33
Then cries the king, and queen likewise,
Both weeping as they speak,
Lo! we have brought our daughter dear,
Whom we are forcd to forsake.

34
With that stept out bold Robin Hood,
Crys, My liege, it must not be so;
Such beauty as the fair princess
Is not for a tyrants mow.

35
The prince he then began to storm;
Crys, Fool, fanatick, baboon!
How dares thou stop my valours prize?
I’ll kill thee with a frown.

36
‘Thou tyrant Turk, thou infidel,’
Thus Robin began to reply,
‘Thy frowns I scorn; lo! here’s my gage,
And thus I thee defie.

37
‘And for these two Goliahs there,
That stand on either side,
Here are two little Davids by,
That soon can tame their pride.’

38
Then did the king for armour send,
For lances, swords, and shields:
And thus all three in armour bright
Came marching to the field.

39
The trumpets began to sound a charge,
Each singled out his man;
Their arms in pieces soon were hewd,
Blood sprang from every vain.

40
The prince he reacht Robin a blow—
He struck with might and main—
Which forcd him to reel about the field,
As though he had been slain.

41
‘God-a-mercy,’ quoth Robin, ‘for that blow!
The quarrel shall soon be try’d;
This stroke shall shew a full divorce
Betwixt thee and thy bride.’

42
So from his shoulders he’s cut his head,
Which on the ground did fall,
And grumbling sore at Robin Hood,
To be so dealt withal.

43
The giants then began to rage,
To see their prince lie dead:
‘Thou’s be the next,’ quoth Little John,
‘Unless thou well guard thy head.’

44
With that his faulchion he whirld about—
It was both keen and sharp—
He clove the giant to the belt,
And cut in twain his heart.

45
Will Scadlock well had playd his part,
The giant he had brought to his knee;
Quoth he, The devil cannot break his fast,
Unless he have you all three.

46
So with his faulchion he run him through,
A deep and gashly wound;
Who damd and foamd, cursd and blasphemd,
And then fell to the ground.

47
Now all the lists with cheers were filld,
The skies they did resound,
Which brought the princess to herself,
Who was faln in a swound.

48
The king and queen and princess fair
Came walking to the place,
And gave the champions many thanks,
And did them further grace.

49
‘Tell me,’ quoth the king, ‘whence you are,
That thus disguised came,
Whose valour speaks that noble blood
Doth run through every vain.’

50
‘A boon, a boon,’ quoth Robin Hood,
‘On my knees I beg and crave:’
‘By my crown,’ quoth the king, ‘I grant;
Ask what, and thou shalt have.’

51
‘Then pardon I beg for my merry men,
Which are within the green wood,
For Little John, and Will Scadlock,
And for me, bold Robin Hood.’

52
‘Art thou Robin Hood?’ then quoth the king;
‘For the valour you have shewn,
Your pardons I doe freely grant,
And welcome every one.

53
‘The princess I promised the victors prize;
She cannot have you all three:’
‘She shall chuse,’ quoth Robin: saith Little John,
Then little share falls to me.

54
Then did the princess view all three,
With a comely lovely grace,
Who took Will Scadlock by the hand,
Quoth, Here I make my choice.

55
With that a noble lord stept forth,
Of Maxfield earl was he,
Who lookt Will Scadlock in the face,
Then wept most bitterly.

56
Quoth he, I had a son like thee,
Whom I lovd wondrous well;
But he is gone, or rather dead;
His name is Young Gamwell.

57
Then did Will Scadlock fall on his knees,
Cries, Father! father! here,
Here kneels your son, your Young Gamwell
You said you lovd so dear.

58
But, lord! what imbracing and kissing was there,
When all these friends were met!
They are gone to the wedding, and so to bedding,
And so I bid you good night.

* * * * *

#a.#

Robin Hood, Will. Scadlock, and Little John, or, A narrative of
their victory obtained against the Prince of Aragon and the two
Giants: and how Will. Scadlock married the Princess.

Tune of Robin Hood, or, Hey down, down a down.

London, Printed by and for W. O[nley], and are to be sold by the
booksellers. (1650–1702.)

1^1. Will., _and always, except_ 55^3.

27^1. moth-ly.

32^2. perfixt.

47^1. sheers.

#b.#

A new ballad of Robin Hood, _etc._, _as in_ #a#. To the tune of,
_etc._ London: Printed for A. M[ilbourne], W. O[nley], and T.
Thackeray in Duck Lane. (1670–89?)

1^3. William.

7^3. I should.

7^4. has.

10^2. Cypress.

11^3. whether.

13^3. to his.

27^1. mothly.

32^1. twenty day.

32^2. prefixt.

32^3. or _wanting_.

37^1. those.

38^1. the king did.

40^3. him rell.

42^3. grumbled.

46^3. ramb’d _for_ dam’d.

47^1. with sheets.

56^4. it is.

58^3. and so the bedding.

130

ROBIN HOOD AND THE SCOTCHMAN

#A. a.# Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. #b.# Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad
Society’s reprint, II, 426. #c.# Garland of 1663, No 3. #d.# Garland
of 1670, No 2. #e.# Pepys, II, 101, No 88.

#B.# Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland, printed at
Monaghan, 1796.

#A# is simply the conclusion given to Robin Hood Newly Revived in the broadsides, and has neither connection with that ballad nor coherence in itself, being on the face of it the beginning and the end of an independent ballad, with the break after the third stanza. 3 may possibly refer to the Scots giving up Charles I to the parliamentary commissioners, in 1647. In #B#, four stanzas appear to have been added to the first three of #A# in order to make out a story,—the too familiar one of Robin being beaten in a fight with a fellow whom he chances to meet, and consequently enlisting the man as a recruit.

A

#a.# Wood, 401, leaf 27 b. #b.# Roxburghe, III, 18, in the Ballad
Society’s reprint, II, 426. #c.# Garland of 1663, No 3. #d.# Garland
of 1670, No 2. #e.# Pepys, II, 101, No 88.

1
Then bold Robin Hood to the north he would go,
With a hey down down a down down
With valour and mickle might,
With sword by his side, which oft had been tri’d,
To fight and recover his right.

2
The first that he met was a bony bold Scot,
His servant he said he would be;
‘No,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘it cannot be good,
For thou wilt prove false unto me.

3
‘Thou hast not bin true to sire nor cuz:’
‘Nay, marry,’ the Scot he said,
‘As true as your heart, I’le never part,
Gude master, be not afraid.’

* * * * *

4
Then Robin Hood turnd his face to the east;
‘Fight on my merry men stout,
Our cause is good,’ quoth brave Robin Hood,
‘And we shall not be beaten out.’

5
The battel grows hot on every side,
The Scotchman made great moan;
Quoth Jockey, Gude faith, they fight on each side;
Would I were with my wife Ione!

6
The enemy compast brave Robin about,
’Tis long ere the battel ends;
Ther’s neither will yeeld nor give up the field,
For both are supplied with friends.

* * * * *

7
This song it was made in Robin Hoods dayes;
Let’s pray unto Iove above
To give us true peace, that mischief may cease,
And war may give place unto love.

B

Gutch’s Robin Hood, II, 392, from an Irish garland, printed at
Monaghan, 1796.

1
Now bold Robin Hood to the north would go,
With valour and mickle might,
With sword by his side, which oft had been try’d,
To fight and recover his right.

2
The first that he met was a jolly stout Scot,
His servant he said he would be;
‘No,’ quoth Robin Hood, ‘it cannot be good,
For thou wilt prove false unto me.

3
‘Thou hast not been true to sire or cuz;’
‘Nay, marry,’ the Scot he said,
‘As true as your heart, I never will part;
Good master, be not afraid.’

4
‘But eer I employ you,’ said bold Robin Hood,
‘With you I must have a bout;’
The Scotchman reply’d, Let the battle be try’d,
For I know I will beat you out.

5
Thus saying, the contest did quickly begin,
Which lasted two hours and more;
The blows Sawney gave bold Robin so brave
The battle soon made him give oer.

6
‘Have mercy, thou Scotchman,’ bold Robin Hood cry’d,
‘Full dearly this boon have I bought;
We will both agree, and my man you shall be,
For a stouter I never have fought.’

7
Then Sawny consented with Robin to go,
To be of his bowmen so gay;
Thus ended the fight, and with mickle delight
To Sherwood they hasted away.

* * * * *

#A.#

_For the printer, etc., see_ No 128, Robin Hood newly Revived.

#a.#

1^3. trid.

1^4. rigth.

4^3, 5^3. qd.

#b.#

1^3. tri’d.

3^1. or _for_ nor.

4^3. case.

#c.#

4^3, 5^3. qd.

#d.#

4^3. case.

#e.#

2^1. met with was a bold.

2^3. qd.

4^3. case: quod.

131

ROBIN HOOD AND THE RANGER

‘Robin Hood and the Ranger.’ #a.# Robin Hood’s Garland, London, C.
Dicey, in Bow Church-Yard, n. d., but before 1741, p. 78. #b.# R.
H.’s Garland, London, W. & C. Dicey, n. d. #c.# R. H.’s Garland,
London, L. How, in Peticoat Lane, n. d. #d.# The English Archer,
etc., York, N. Nickson, in Feasegate, n. d. #e.# The English Archer,
etc., Paisley, John Neilson, 1786. #f.# R. H.’s Garland, York, T.
Wilson & R. Spence, n. d. (All in the Bodleian Library.)

In Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, II, 133, from a York edition of Robin Hood’s Garland. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 200, apparently from an Aldermary garland.

Mr Halliwell, in Notices of Fugitive Tracts, etc., Percy Society, vol. xxix. p. 19, refers to an edition of Robin Hood’s Garland printed for James Hodges, at the Looking-glass, London-bridge, n. d., as containing “the earliest copy yet known” of Robin Hood and the Ranger, but does not indicate how the alleged fact was ascertained. Inside of the cover of #a# is written, William Stukely, 1741. #b# appears in advertisements as early as 1753.

Robin Hood, while about to kill deer, is forbidden by a forester, and claiming the forest as his own, the cause has to be tried with weapons. They break their swords on one another, and take to quarter-staves. Robin Hood is so sorely cudgelled that he gives up the fight, declaring that he has never met with so good a man. He summons his yeomen with his horn; the forester is induced to join them.

1
When Phœbus had melted the sickles of ice,
With a hey down, &c.
And likewise the mountains of snow,
Bold Robin Hood he would ramble to see,
To frolick abroad with his bow.

2
He left all his merry men waiting behind,
Whilst through the green vallies he passd;
There did he behold a forester bold,
Who cry’d out, Friend, whither so fast?

3
‘I’m going,’ quoth Robin, ‘to kill a fat buck,
For me and my merry men all;
Besides, eer I go, I’ll have a fat doe,
Or else it shall cost me a fall.’

4
‘You’d best have a care,’ said the forester then,
‘For these are his majesty’s deer;
Before you shall shoot, the thing I’ll dispute,
For I am head-forester here.’

5
‘These thirteen long summers,’ quoth Robin, ‘I’m sure,
My arrows I here have let fly,
Where freely I range; methinks it is strange,
You should have more power than I.

6
‘This forest,’ quoth Robin, ‘I think is my own,
And so are the nimble deer too;
Therefore I declare, and solemnly swear,
I wont be affronted by you.’

7
The forester he had a long quarter-staff,
Likewise a broad sword by his side;
Without more ado, he presently drew,
Declaring the truth should be try’d.

8
Bold Robin Hood had a sword of the best,
Thus, eer he would take any wrong,
His courage was flush, he’d venture a brush,
And thus they fell to it ding dong.

9
The very first blow that the forester gave,
He made his broad weapon cry twang;
’Twas over the head, he fell down for dead,
O that was a damnable bang!

10
But Robin he soon did recover himself,
And bravely fell to it again;
The very next stroke their weapons were broke,
Yet never a man there was slain.

11
At quarter-staff then they resolved to play,
Because they would have t’other bout;
And brave Robin Hood right valiantly stood,
Unwilling he was to give out.

12
Bold Robin he gave him very hard blows,
The other returnd them as fast;
At every stroke their jackets did smoke,
Three hours the combat did last.

13
At length in a rage the bold forester grew,
And cudgeld bold Robin so sore
That he could not stand, so shaking his hand,
He said, Let us freely give oer.

14
Thou art a brave fellow, I needs must confess
I never knew any so good;
Thou’rt fitting to be a yeoman for me,
And range in the merry green wood.

15
I’ll give thee this ring as a token of love,
For bravely thou’st acted thy part;
That man that can fight, in him I delight,
And love him with all my whole heart.

16
Then Robin Hood setting his horn to his mouth,
A blast he merrily blows;
His yeomen did hear, and strait did appear,
A hundred, with trusty long bows.

17
Now Little John came at the head of them all,
Cloathd in a rich mantle of green;
And likewise the rest were gloriously drest,
A delicate sight to be seen.

18
‘Lo, these are my yeomen,’ said Robin Hood,
‘And thou shalt be one of the train;
A mantle and bow, a quiver also,
I give them whom I entertain.’

19
The forester willingly enterd the list,
They were such a beautiful sight;
Then with a long bow they shot a fat doe,
And made a rich supper that night.

20
What singing and dancing was in the green wood,
For joy of another new mate!
With mirth and delight they spent the long night,
And liv’d at a plentiful rate.

21
The forester neer was so merry before
As then he was with these brave souls,
Who never would fail, in wine, beer or ale,
To take off their cherishing bowls.

22
Then Robin Hood gave him a mantle of green,
Broad arrows, and a curious long bow;
This done, the next day, so gallant and gay,
He marched them all on a row.

23
Quoth he, My brave yeomen, be true to your trust,
And then we may range the woods wide:
They all did declare, and solemnly swear,
They’d conquer, or die by his side.

* * * * *

#a.#

Robin Hood and the Ranger, or True Friendship after a fierce
Fight. Tune of Arthur a Bland.

2^4. whether.

8^3. he’ll.

12^1. a very hard blow.

#b.#

2^4. whither.

6^2. are all.

11^2. the other.

12^1. very hard blows.

14^2. any one.

15^2. thou hast.

18^2. And _wanting_.

23^4. They would.

#c.#

_Burden_: With a hey down down down and a down.

2^4. whither.

5^3. methink’.

6^2. deers.

8^3. he’d.

10^1. soon recoverd.

10^2. to _wanting_.

10^3. they broke.

12^1. very hard blows.

12^4. this combat.

13^4. He cry’d.

14^4. And live.

16^2. blast then.

19^2. a _wanting_.

21^2. with the.

#d.#

Tune of, _etc. wanting. Burden wanting_.

1^1. the circles.

1^3. he _wanting_: ramble away.

2^4. whither.

5^2. arrows here I’ve.

5^4. then I.

6^2. so is.

7^1. he _wanting_.

8^1. he had.

8^3. he’d.

9^1. that _wanting_.

9^3. his head.

10^1. soon recoverd.

10^3. they broke.

12^1. he _wanting_: many hard blows.

13^4. He cry’d.

16^1. Then _wanting_: Hood set his bugle horn.

16^2. blast then.

16^3. and soon.

16^4. An.

17^3. rest was.

18^1. said bold.

18^4. I’ll.

20^3. the whole.

21^2. with the.

21^3. beer and.

21^4. take of the.

22^2. a _wanting_.

23^4. They would.

#e.#

_Burden_: With a hey down down derry down: _or_ Hey down derry
derry down.

1^1. circle.

1^3. he _wanting_: ramble away.

2^3. he did.

2^4. whither.

3^1. quoth Robin _wanting_.

3^3. ere.

5^2. here _wanting_.

6^2. so is.

7^1. he _wanting_.

8^2. neer.

8^3. he’d.

8^4. thus _wanting_.

9^3. his head.

10^1. soon recovered.

10^3. they broke.

11^1. then _wanting_.

12^1. many hard blows.

13^4. He cry’d.

15^4. whole _wanting_.

16^1. set his brave.

16^2. blast then.

16^3. and soon.

16^4. An.

18^1. said bold.

18^3. and a bow.

18^4. I’ll.

20^1. were in.

20^3. the whole.

21^2. with the.

22^2. a _wanting_.

#f.#

1^1. ickles of ice.

1^3. would frolicksome be.

1^4. And ramble about with his bow.

2^4. whither.

8^1. Hood _wanting_.

8^3. he’d.

10^1. recovered.

10^3. they broke.

10^4. Yet neither of them were slain.

11^2. the other.

12^1. very hard blows.

12^4. this combat.

13^4. He cry’d.

14^1. And live.

18^1. said bold.

19^4. a good.

21^2. As when.

21^3. beer and.

132

THE BOLD PEDLAR AND ROBIN HOOD

J. H. Dixon, Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of
England, p. 71, Percy Society, vol. xvii, 1846.

“An aged female in Bermondsey, Surrey, from whose oral recitation the editor took down the present version, informed him, that she had often heard her grandmother sing it, and that it was never in print; but he has of late met with several common stall copies.”

Robin Hood and Little John fall in with a pedlar. Little John asks what goods he carries, and says he will have half his pack. The pedlar says he shall have the whole if he can make him give a perch of ground. They fight, and John cries Hold. Robin Hood undertakes the pedlar, and in turn cries Hold. Robin asks the pedlar’s name. He will not give it till they have told theirs, and when they have so done says it still lies with him to tell or not. However, he is Gamble Gold, forced to flee his country for killing a man. If you are Gamble Gold, says Robin, you are my own cousin. They go to a tavern and dine and drink.

Stanzas 11, 12, 15 recall Robin Hood’s Delight, No 136, 19, 20, 24; 13, 14 Robin Hood Revived, No 128, 17, 18. As remarked under No 128, this is a traditional variation of Robin Hood Revived.

1
There chanced to be a pedlar bold,
A pedlar bold he chanced to be;
He rolled his pack all on his back,
And he came tripping oer the lee.
Down a down a down a down,
Down a down a down

2
By chance he met two troublesome blades,
Two troublesome blades they chanced to be;
The one of them was bold Robin Hood,
And the other was Little John so free.

3
‘O pedlar, pedlar, what is in thy pack?
Come speedilie and tell to me:’
‘I’ve several suits of the gay green silks,
And silken bow-strings two or three.’

4
‘If you have several suits of the gay green silk,
And silken bow-strings two or three,
Then it’s by my body,’ cries Little John,
‘One half your pack shall belong to me.’

5
‘O nay, o nay,’ says the pedlar bold,
‘O nay, o nay, that never can be;
For there’s never a man from fair Nottingham
Can take one half my pack from me.’

6
Then the pedlar he pulled off his pack,
And put it a little below his knee,
Saying, If you do move me one perch from this,
My pack and all shall gang with thee.

7
Then Little John he drew his sword,
The pedlar by his pack did stand;
They fought until they both did sweat,
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand!

8
Then Robin Hood he was standing by,
And he did laugh most heartilie;
Saying, I could find a man, of a smaller scale,
Could thrash the pedlar and also thee.

9
‘Go you try, master,’ says Little John,
‘Go you try, master, most speedilie,
Or by my body,’ says Little John,
‘I am sure this night you will not know me.’

10
Then Robin Hood he drew his sword,
And the pedlar by his pack did stand;
They fought till the blood in streams did flow,
Till he cried, Pedlar, pray hold your hand!

11
Pedlar, pedlar, what is thy name?
Come speedilie and tell to me:
‘My name! my name I neer will tell,
Till both your names you have told to me.’

12
‘The one of us is bold Robin Hood,
And the other Little John so free:’
‘Now,’ says the pedlar, ‘it lays to my good will,
Whether my name I chuse to tell to thee.

13
‘I am Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea;
For killing a man in my father’s land
From my country I was forced to flee.’

14
‘If you are Gamble Gold of the gay green woods,
And travelled far beyond the sea,
You are my mother’s own sister’s son;
What nearer cousins then can we be?’

15
They sheathed their swords with friendly words,
So merrilie they did agree;
They went to a tavern, and there they dined,
And bottles cracked most merrilie.

* * * * *

3^1, 5^1, 5^2. Oh.

133

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, I

#a.# Wood, 401, leaf 23 b.

#b.# Garland of 1663, No 8.

#c.# Garland of 1670, No 7.

#d.# Pepys, II, 116, No 100.

#a# is printed, with changes, by Ritson, Robin Hood, 1795, II, 122. Evans, Old Ballads, 1777, 1784, I, 180, agrees with the Aldermary garland.

There is a copy in the Roxburghe Collection, III, 20.

Robin Hood, riding towards Nottingham, comes upon a beggar, who asks charity. Robin says he has no money, but must have a bout with him. The beggar with his staff gives three blows for every stroke of Robin’s with his sword. Robin cries truce, and at the suggestion, we might almost say upon the requisition, of the beggar, exchanges his horse and finery for the beggar’s bags and rags. Thus equipped, he proceeds to Nottingham, and has the adventure with the sheriff and three yeomen which is the subject of No 140.

The copy in the Wood and in the Roxburghe collections is signed T. R., like Robin Hood and the Butcher, #B#, and, like the latter ballad, this is a _rifacimento_, with middle rhyme in the third line. It is perhaps made up from two distinct stories; the Second Part, beginning at stanza 20, from Robin Hood rescuing Three Squires, and what precedes from a ballad resembling Robin Hood and the Beggar, II.

But no seventeenth-century version of Robin Hood and the Beggar, II, is known, and it is more likely that we owe the fight between Robin Hood and the Beggar to the folly and bad taste of T. R. Robin has no sort of provocation to fight with the beggar, and no motive for changing clothes, the proposition actually coming from the beggar, st. 15, and it is an accident that his disguise proves useful (cf. Guy of Gisborne). The beggar should have reported that three men were to be hanged, but instead of this is forced into a fight, in order that one more ignominious defeat may be scored against Robin.

The verses,

9^{3,4},
I am an outlaw, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood,

occur also in Robin Hood and the Bishop, No 143, 6^{3,4}. ‘And this mantle of mine I’le to thee resign,’ 16^3, looks very like a reminiscence of Robin Hood and the Bishop, 10^3, ‘Thy spindle and twine unto me resign.’[112]

1
Come light and listen, you gentlemen all,
Hey down, down, and a down
That mirth do love for to hear,
And a story true I’le tell unto you,
If that you will but draw near.

2
In elder times, when merriment was,
And archery was holden good,
There was an outlaw, as many did know,
Which men called Robin Hood.

3
Vpon a time it chanced so
Bold Robin was merry disposed,
His time to spend he did intend,
Either with friends or foes.

4
Then he got vp on a gallant brave steed,
The which was worth angels ten;
With a mantle of green, most brave to be seen,
He left all his merry men.

5
And riding towards fair Nottingham,
Some pastime for to spy,
There was he aware of a jolly beggar
As ere he beheld with his eye.

6
An old patcht coat the beggar had on,
Which he daily did vse for to wear;
And many a bag about him did wag,
Which made Robin Hood to him repair.

7
‘God speed, God speed,’ said Robin Hood,
‘What countryman? tell to me:’
‘I am Yorkeshire, sir; but, ere you go far,
Some charity give vnto me.’

8
‘Why, what wouldst thou have?’ said Robin Hood,
‘I pray thee tell vnto me:’
‘No lands nor livings,’ the beggar he said,
‘But a penny for charitie.’

9
‘I have no money,’ said Robin Hood then,
‘But, a ranger within the wood,
I am an outlaw, as many do know,
My name it is Robin Hood.

10
‘But yet I must tell thee, bonny beggar,
That a bout with [thee] I must try;
Thy coat of gray, lay down I say,
And my mantle of green shall lye by.’

11
‘Content, content,’ the beggar he cry’d,
‘Thy part it will be the worse;
For I hope this bout to give thee the rout,
And then have at thy purse.’

12
The beggar he had a mickle long staffe,
And Robin had a nut-brown sword;
So the beggar drew nigh, and at Robin let fly,
But gave him never a word.

13
‘Fight on, fight on,’ said Robin Hood then,
‘This game well pleaseth me;’
For every blow that Robin did give,
The beggar gave buffets three.

14
And fighting there full hard and sore,
Not far from Nottingham town,
They never fled, till from Robinś head
The blood came trickling down.

15
‘O hold thy hand,’ said Robin Hood then,
‘And thou and I will agree;’
‘If that be true,’ the beggar he said,
‘Thy mantle come give vnto me.’

16
‘Nay a change, a change,’ cri’d Robin Hood;
‘Thy bags and coat give me,
And this mantle of mine I’le to thee resign,
My horse and my braverie.’

17
When Robin Hood had got the beggars clothes,
He looked round about;
‘Methinks,’ said he, ‘I seem to be
A beggar brave and stout.

18
‘For now I have a bag for my bread,
So have I another for corn;
I have one for salt, and another for malt,
And one for my little horn.

19
‘And now I will a begging goe,
Some charitie for to find:’
And if any more of Robin you’l know,
In this second part it’s behind.

20
Now Robin he is to Nottingham bound,
With his bags hanging down to his knee,
His staff, and his coat, scarce worth a groat,
Yet merrilie passed he.

21
As Robin he passed the streets along,
He heard a pittifull cry;
Three brethren deer, as he did hear,
Condemned were to dye.

22
Then Robin he highed to the sheriffs [house],
Some reliefe for to seek;
He skipt, and leapt, and capored full high,
As he went along the street.

23
But when to the sheriffs doore he came,
There a gentleman fine and brave,
‘Thou beggar,’ said he, ‘come tell vnto me
What is it that thou wouldest have?’

24
‘No meat, nor drink,’ said Robin Hood then,
‘That I come here to crave;
But to beg the lives of yeomen three,
And that I fain would have.’

25
‘That cannot be, thou bold beggar,
Their fact it is so cleer;
I tell to thee, hangd they must be,
For stealing of our kings deer.’

26
But when to the gallows they did come,
There was many a weeping eye:
‘O hold your peace,’ said Robin then,
‘For certainly they shall not dye.’

27
Then Robin he set his horn to his mouth,
And he blew but blastes three,
Till a hundred bold archers brave
Came kneeling down to his knee.

28
‘What is your will, master?’ they said,
‘We are here at your command:’
‘Shoot east, shoot west,’ said Robin Hood then,
‘And look that you spare no man.’

29
Then they shot east, and they shot west;
Their arrows were so keen
The sheriffe he, and his companie,
No longer must be seen.

30
Then he stept to these brethren three,
And away he had them tane;
But the sheriff was crost, and many a man lost,
That dead lay on the plain.

31
And away they went into the merry green wood,
And sung with a merry glee,
And Robin took these brethren good
To be of his yeomandrie.

* * * * *

#a.#

Robin Hood and the Beggar: Shewing how Robin Hood and the Beggar
fought, and how he changed clothes with the Beggar, and how he
went a begging to Nottingham, and how he saved three brethren
from being hangd for stealing of deer. To the tune of Robin Hood
and the Stranger. _Signed_ T. R.

London, Printed for Francis Grove, on Snowhill. (1620–55.)

_Burden_: an a.

1^1. light _in all: a corruption of_ lyth.

2^2. archrey.

3^4. friend or foe: _cf._ #b#, #c#.

4^2. angell.

6^1. had one.

10^1. tell the.

12^1. saffe.

21^3. brethred.

27^4. dow.

31^4. yeomandriee.

#b#, #c#.

_Title as in #a#. Not signed. Burden sometimes_, With hey, _etc._,
or, With a hey, _etc._; _once, in_ #c#, Hey derry derry down.

#b.#

3^4. friends or foes.

4^2. angels.

7^1. Hood then.

7^2. unto.

8^3. he _wanting_.

9^3. doth know.

10^2. with thee.

10^4. lay.

16^1. said _for_ cri’d.

20^1. he _wanting_.

21^4. was for to.

22^1. sheriffs house.

27^2. he _wanting_.

30^2. them had.

#c.#

3^4. friends or foes.

4^2. angels.

7^1. Hood then.

7^2. unto.

8^3. living.

10^2. with thee.

19^4. known _for_ behind.

21^4. for to.

22^1. sheriffs house.

25^3. they hanged.

27^2. he _wanting_.

30^2. them had.

#d.#

_Title as in_ #a#: _except_ of the king’s deer. _Not signed._

Printed for I. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger. (1670–86.)

_Burden_: With a hey down down and a down.

3^2. merrily.

3^4. friend or foe.

4^2. angels.

5^1. brave _for_ fair.

7^1. Hood then.

7^2. unto.

10^2. with thee.

11^1. he said.

12^1. muckle.

12^4. But he.

13^3. Robin gave.

14^3. Robin Hood’s head.

15^3. If it.

17^1. Hood _wanting_.

17^3. Methink.

18^3. for mault: for salt.

19^4. In the. house _wanting, as in_ #a#.

22^3. and he leapt.

23^4. is’t: would’st.

25^4. of the.

26^3. O _wanting_: Robin Hood.

27^4. down on their.

28^2. here _wanting_.

29^1. east then.

30^2. has.

30^3. many men.

31^1. And _wanting_.

31^3. Then Robin Hood.

134

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BEGGAR, II

#a.# ‘The History of Robin Hood and the Beggar,’ Aberdeen, Printed by
and for A. Keith: Bodleian Library, Douce, HH 88, pasted between pp
68, 69 of Robin Hood’s Garland, London, C. Dicey. A. Keith of
Aberdeen printed from 1810 to 1835.

#b.# ‘A pretty dialogue betwixt Robin Hood and a Beggar,’ Newcastle,
in Ritson’s Robin Hood, 1795, I, 97.

#a# is printed by Gutch, Robin Hood, II, 230, with deviations. Of #b# Ritson says: The corruptions of the press being equally numerous and minute, some of the most trifling have been corrected without notice. Despite the corruptions, #b# is, in some readings, preferable to #a#. Motherwell, Minstrelsy, p. xliii, says that pretty early stall copies were printed both at Aberdeen and Glasgow.